Hastings trailed early, could not come back

The Hastings Raiders football team fell behind Apple Valley quickly and was never able to mount a comeback.

The Raiders trailed 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and 21-0 just minutes into the second. With the Oct. 13 loss, Hastings is now 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the Suburban Maroon subdistrict.

Apple Valley scored first barely two minutes into the game on a 13-yard touchdown run by the quarterback Tyler Cardella. Six minutes later, they scored again, this time on a 7-yard run by running back Kellan McKeag. Eight minutes into the first quarter, the Raiders found themselves down 14-0.

Just eight seconds into the second quarter, the Eagles made it 21-0 on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Cardella to receiver Luke Martens. However, the Hastings offense was able to respond with a touchdown of their own, a 2-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Trey Rogers. This cut Apple Valley's lead down to 21-7 with four minutes and 42 seconds left in the half. The Eagles were able to get three more points before the half ended on a 33-yard field goal and led 24-7 at half.

The scoring slowed down in the third quarter until Apple Valley was able to extend its lead to 31-7 on a 13-yard touchdown run by Patrick Kelehan with just over 30 seconds left in the third quarter. Not even a three minutes later the Eagles scored again, this time on another touchdown run by Cardella for a 38-7 lead. Hastings got one more score on a 23-yard touchdown run by senior Jacob Peine to make it 38-14, which was the final.

Hastings continued to be able to produce rushing yards as they ran for 204 yards and two touchdowns. However, the passing offense generated just 53 yards on three completions.

Rogers completed three passes on eight attempts for 53 yards and an interception. The leading rusher for the Raiders was junior running back Corbin Leflay, who had 20 carries for 94 yards. Junior Alex O'Connor ran the ball 10 times for over 50 yards while senior T.J. Pottinger added 10 carries for 40 yards. Rogers had negative 24 yards rushing due to sacks and in total seven different Hastings players ran the ball.

Sophomore Jackson Kirchoff once again led Hastings in receiving by pulling down two catches for 43 yards. Defensively, senior Travis Friar recovered a fumble for the Raiders, their lone forced turnover.

Hastings had a quick turnaround as they ended the regular season Wednesday night, Oct. 18, at home against South St. Paul. The results of that game were not available at the time of print.

Section playoffs start on Tuesday, Oct. 24, and should the Raiders win they would then play on Saturday, Oct. 28. The third round is Friday, Nov. 3.

Hastings is in section 3AAAAA. Last year's section 3AAAAA teams were Hastings, Henry Sibley, Apple Valley, St. Thomas Academy, Bloomington Kennedy and Park of Cottage Grove. The Raiders beat Henry Sibley 43-22 in 2016 before falling to Apple Valley 28-21, who went on to become section champions.